The Bielefeld team comprises members from the Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) and the Excellence Center in Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) from the groups in Cognitive Robotics and Learning (CogRob, Prof. J. Steil, CoR-Lab), in Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE, Dr. S. Wrede, CoR-Lab), and in Neuroinformatics (NI, Prof. Ritter, CITEC).

These groups have strong experience with interactive robotics, redundant and compliant robots, visual recognition, grasping and manual intelligence, and software engineering. They are in command of several Kuka-LWR and an OmniRob. The groups have participated in various robotics oriented projects (e.g. EU-FP7 AMARSi with coordinator Steil, FP7-ECHORD, FP7-HUMAVIPS) and they are involved in many projects in the German leading edge cluster in Intelligent Technical Systems, where they develop methods for machine learning (project “Selbstoptimierung”), human-machine interaction, robotics and system integration (project “Mensch-Maschine Interaktion”, in collaboration with industrial partners e.g. Miele, Böllhoff, Kannegiesser). Finally, CoR-Lab develops novel production technology by connecting ICT for manufacturing, automation technology and robotics (projects “FlexIMon” and “FlexIMiR”, together with industrial partner Harting).

The team has ample expertise in the different fields involved in the challenge.